by Jacqueline Mäder, Switzerland

It was in May 1996 that my mother organisation asked me to participate in the IYC 1996. I'm a 33 year old woman and I have had osteoarthritis in both knees since I was 17. For me, it was a great joy that I was elected to be the international representative from the Youth Group in Switzerland.

During the congress I felt very good in the company of all these young people from 17 different countries.

For my personal life I can say that this week was a real success for me. In the programme I could learn more about my life with a rheumatic disease. Not one minute was boring - there was always enough to discuss and I a felt very good atmosphere in this group. This was also developed by the two parties where we could celebrate. It was the first time in my life that I have had the possibility to talk with so many different people from other countries.

Well, at the end I travelled back home with lots of good experiences and impressions in my own language. Since this IYC I have had lots of contacts with other people in Europe and I'm happy about the decision of the Swiss - Reumaligue to become a member of IOYR!

Published in Newsletter no. 2, June 1998